Thanks again, N. ;o) Hi, Filix. I'm not sure what you're asking me about the elimination of N & K & the bone meal thing, but bone meal acts soo slowly that it's very ineffective in containers. 20-20-20 is 20% by weight of each - N, P, & K for a 60% total. Fertilizers are not pure NPK, Ca, Mg, etc. These elements are found in compounds with other elements like potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, monoammonium phosphate, potassium sulfate ..... you get the picture. In dry fertilizers, 'ballast', which can be a variety of things like smelting slag and limestone, make up a portion of the blend and in the liquid fertilizers, water is a big part of the product. Al

Sorry - this probably should have been posted as a follow-up relating to a specific Vanda I have asked about here. It is just beginning to recover from chronic lack of water and has been dormant for about 7 months with no new growth other than roots. I want to give it some "oomph". Others here suggested to my question and to others using fertilizer or some other product in the water or in spag. They were right about the sad lack of water, so now I am seeking "the next step". I water it not quite every day now. It gets a few minutes under the tap or in the shower. But I would like to use the "soak it in a bucket of water" method maybe once or twice a week (because it IS trying to recover from lack of water. It is super dry). The products I have in my arsenal are: Green Light Root Stimulator & Starter Solution Green Light Rooting Hormone Better-Gro Orchid Plus (20-14-13) Dynamite Plant Food (pellets - I use these in my potted stuff) 13-13-13 That really common orchid food that comes in a little blue pouch (blue crystals, can't remember the name, but it is SUPER common). Thanks for the forumula for the water ratio. Would you recommend I try 13-13-13 or other? Perhaps I should move this post?

Hi MH I don't know quite what you bloom booster are, but many experts recommend a fertilizer when the roses are in bloom. Then the plants are looking for more nutrient to grow and set new flowers. For some varieties this is more true than others though. When my roses have bloomed for a bit I use a liquid organic fertilizer on the roses that I give extra care and that I know benefit from it. I choose something with lots of kalium not the ones that are mostly nitrogen. But any fertilizer with about the same content of K and N will benefit the roses. Some have a strong belief that lots of phosphorous promotes root growth and buds but I do not see the big difference here.

tdogdad - I'm sorry I didn't see this post. I would have definitely considered the fert. you suggested but I had found Peter's at green barn orchid supply and they had superthrive as well and their shipping charges were great. They only charged me what it cost them - 5.30. Sandy eggo - thank you very much for this info. I had already found peter's but really appreciate your help. Maureen